SAN FRANCISCO -- Jackie Coats was living her American Dream. She came to the U.S. from Kenya, met an American, fell in love and got married. But those dreams took a tragic turn in a deadly Ocean Beach riptide.

Marlin Coats, 29, drowned while trying to rescue two youngsters and a man who were caught in a riptide at Ocean Beach on Sunday.

San Francisco Fire Department spokeswoman Lt. Mindy Talmadge said that lifeguards on the beach ran into the water to help rescue Coats within a minute of it becoming clear he was in trouble.

The lifeguards found the man and two juveniles caught in the strong rip current, as well as Coats, who was unresponsive. Efforts to revive Coats using CPR failed, and he died at a local hospital, according to park officials.

For his selfless act, Jackie Coats was scheduled to be presented with a medal honoring her husband on Saturday. But now, she also faces deportation back to Kenya because the couple had not yet completed her immigration papers.

Marlin Coats had signed a petition to obtain residency papers for her, but his death may now invalidate that petition.

Jackie Coats faces a deportation hearing in two months.

At an emotional press conference Thursday, Jackie was overwhelmed by all that has happened in the last few days.

"I've been in a relationship with Marlin for the last three years," Jackie said through her tears. "We had plans….We had everything planned out for the next 10 years. He was the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with. He was going to be the father of my children."

"His family is my family. They are all I know."

Raymond Coats, Marlin's father, sat nearby. His mother cradled Jackie's head as she sobbed.

"She shouldn't have to go through this," he said.

Coats' attorney -- Thip Ark -- said she was seeking to have the deportation proceeding delayed.

"Marlin had met with me a couple of days before his death," the attorney said. "It was his intent to keep Jacqueline in this country. And now that she's facing deportation, the tragedy continues."